Former Stoke City ace Stephen Ireland recently signed for Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton Wanderers’ Jason Lowe says he has been impressed by recent new signing Stephen Ireland after he joined the club following his summer release from Stoke City.
“He is a top guy and willing to do the work. He hasn’t shirked a single thing,” Lowe told the Bolton News.
“Everyone knows the career he has had so far at the top level, he has been an excellent player and I am sure he still can be.
“He’s looking good. He’s dived straight in there and every day he’s looking a bit fitter, a bit sharper. Day by day he’ll get himself back to the stage where he’s pushing for a place in the team. A guy like Steve has clearly got a great footballing brain, which is there for all to see.”
Ireland recently joined the Trotters on a short-term deal after the former Manchester City man was without a club after Stoke City decided to release him upon suffering relegation from the Premier League.
The 32-year-old spent five seasons at Stoke and was originally regarded as one of the Potters’ better players, making 25 top-flight appearances in his first season followed by another 30 over the next two campaigns.
But the arrival of Mark Hughes as Stoke manager saw Ireland gradually lose his place in the first-team, and after suffering a broken leg he struggled to push for a first-team place upon his return.
The former Republic of Ireland international midfielder clearly has bags of natural ability, and if Bolton can get him anywhere near his best form then they could have one of the Championship’s best players on their hands.
Stoke, now under the guidance of manager Gary Rowett, may regret not giving him a chance to rediscover his top form in the second tier at the Bet365 Stadium and their loss could now be Bolton’s gain.
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